Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC Blade Review: 2025 Performance Analysis

Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Sorin Petroj

How does the Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC Blade compare to other premium table tennis blades?

What specific playing style best suits this advanced blade, and does its performance justify its premium price?

The Mizutani Jun Super ZLC Blade is what happens when Japan’s table tennis star Jun Mizutani teams up with Butterfly to create something special. They designed it specifically for advanced attacking players who need the best equipment for modern table tennis. What makes it stand out is Butterfly’s Super ZL-Carbon material, which gives you amazing touch and feel along with serious power.

In this review, I’ll break down everything about the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC – from the technology behind it to how it performs in real matches. I’ll compare it with other top blades, share my personal testing experience, and help you figure out if it’s right for your playing style.

Table of Contents

My Personal Testing Experience

As a 2100-rated offensive loop-drive player with over 15 years of competitive experience, I was really curious to try the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC after hearing all the buzz about its carbon technology. I put it through its paces for six weeks, using it in both practice sessions and three local tournaments.

I won’t lie – adjusting to this blade was challenging at first. It’s incredibly fast and responsive, which meant I had to change my timing, especially on loop drives. I found I needed to hit the ball a bit earlier than I was used to. I paired it with Butterfly Dignics 09C on my forehand and Dignics 05 on my backhand.

The first thing that jumped out at me was the bigger sweet spot. In intense rallies where I’d normally miss the perfect hitting zone with my old blade, the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC was much more forgiving while still giving me crazy power. After about two weeks of heavy practice (especially multiball drills to get my timing right), I really started to appreciate what this blade could do.

The biggest improvement came in my counter-looping game. The blade’s Primary Elasticity Index of 2.35 meant I could produce powerful counter-loops without killing myself physically. This was huge in longer matches when fatigue usually starts affecting my technique.

I did have to tweak my blocking technique, especially against heavy topspin. The blade’s high reactivity meant my blocks would sometimes fly long until I learned to use a more closed angle and softer touch.

Mizutani Jun Super ZLC Performance Ratings

After extensive testing and collecting feedback from other players, here’s how the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC rates on key performance metrics:

Performance Attribute	Rating (1-10)	Description
Speed	9.5	Extremely fast with excellent acceleration
Control	9.0	Exceptional precision despite high speed
Spin	9.3	Superior spin generation capabilities
Stiffness	6.3	Medium-firm with balanced flexibility
Hardness	6.4	Medium-hard feel with good feedback
Sweet Spot Size	9.2	Significantly larger than standard carbon blades

These ratings put the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC among the best offensive blades out there, with a unique balance of speed and control that sets it apart from other premium options.

Measurable Performance Metrics

Scientific testing shows the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC has some measurable advantages over other premium carbon blades:

Speed Metrics: The blade has a reaction property rating of 12.5 on Butterfly’s scale, making it one of their fastest blades. TTGearLab confirms a Primary Elasticity Index (Ep) of 2.35, higher than many competing premium carbon blades.
Vibration Control: With a Primary Vibration Index (Vp) of 1.42, it has surprisingly low vibration for such a fast blade, which helps explain why it maintains good control despite all that power.
Sweet Spot Expansion: The Super ZLC carbon technology makes the high-reaction area of the blade surface bigger compared to standard carbon blades, giving you more consistent performance across a larger hitting area.
Weight Distribution: At 88-90g, it’s a bit heavier than some other premium options, but the weight is well-distributed for good balance and maneuverability.

Super ZLC Technology: The Technical Breakthrough

Butterfly invested heavily in developing their new carbon technology specifically for the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC and Zhang Jike Super ZLC blades. This isn’t just a minor upgrade – it’s a fundamental advancement beyond regular carbon fiber.

The Super ZL-Carbon technology combines carbon and zl-fiber through enhanced processing that creates a stronger, denser material structure. This gives you:

A bigger “high-reaction area” (sweet spot) that’s much larger than standard carbon blades
Less energy needed to generate power, making your play more efficient
Better impact absorption for great ball control even at high speeds

What’s really impressive is that the Super ZL-Carbon material weighs about 50% less than conventional carbon while delivering more speed and precision. This means you can generate more power with less effort – perfect for high-level offensive play.

Material Composition and Technical Specifications

The Mizutani Jun Super ZLC has a sophisticated 7-ply construction:

Core structure: 5 wood plies + 2 Super ZLC carbon layers (5w+2szlc)
Outer plies: Premium Limba wood for optimal feel and control
Weight: 88-90g (3.17oz)
Thickness: 5.8mm
Blade dimensions: 157×150mm
Handle options and dimensions:
Flared (FL): 100x24x34mm
Straight (ST): 100x22x27.5mm
Anatomic (AN): 100x24x34mm

The blade is built to last while maintaining its exceptional performance. The premium-grade wood ensures it’ll hold up even after years of intense play, while the Super ZLC carbon layers give you that extraordinary power and control that makes this blade special.

Performance in Specific Game Situations

Based on my testing and feedback from other advanced players, here’s how the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC handles different table tennis techniques:

Serving

This blade feels amazing when serving, especially for creating heavy spin. I found short, spinny serves easier to control than with other carbon blades I’ve used. The blade’s sensitivity lets you create subtle spin variations that can really mess with your opponents.

When serving long with sidespin-topspin combos, the blade’s power becomes obvious as the ball rockets off the rubber with great speed while maintaining high spin rates. This makes “winner serves” more viable against unprepared opponents.

Receiving

Against heavy spin serves, you need precise technique with this blade. During my first 2-3 weeks with it, I had to keep my receive angle slightly more closed than usual.

For short push returns, the blade’s sensitivity gives you excellent touch, though you need to focus on a smoother stroke path to avoid overhitting. For flick receives, this blade really shines, giving you quick acceleration with minimal effort, making it easier to attack short serves.

Blocking

Blocking against heavy topspin takes some adjustment with this blade. Because it’s so reactive and fast, passive blocking often sends the ball sailing long. Instead, I found success by:

Using a slightly more closed racket angle than with slower blades
Using a softer touch with less forward motion
Involving my wrist more for angle control

Once I got used to it, the blade actually offered fantastic blocking, as its bigger sweet spot forgives small timing errors that would normally result in missed blocks with other carbon blades.

Looping and Counter-Looping

This is where the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC really shows off. The blade generates serious power on loops without requiring excessive effort. Against backspin, you can loop with confidence, creating both speed and spin without wearing yourself out.

In counter-looping exchanges, the blade’s speed and expanded sweet spot give you a real advantage. During testing, I noticed I could counter-loop from positions where I’d normally have to play defensively with other blades. The Super ZLC material efficiently transfers energy, allowing for powerful counter-attacks even when you’re slightly out of position.

Mid-distance Play

At mid-distance, the blade shows excellent balance between attack and control. The power reserve is substantial, letting you consistently attack even from 3-5 feet back from the table.

What impressed me most was the blade’s ability to maintain spin and speed during mid-distance exchanges where many carbon blades feel “dead” or too stiff. The Mizutani Jun Super ZLC keeps that exceptional feel even as you move away from the table.

Mizutani Jun Super ZLC vs. Other Premium Butterfly Blades

To help you understand how the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC compares to other high-end Butterfly blades:

Blade Model	Speed	Control	Stiffness	Primary Wood	Best For
Mizutani Jun Super ZLC	9.5/10	9.0/10	6.3/10	Limba	All-round attackers with technical precision
Zhang Jike Super ZLC	9.4/10	9.3/10	6.2/10	Koto	Close-to-table aggressive attackers
Harimoto Innerforce Super ZLC	9.1/10	9.2/10	5.9/10	Mixed	Players transitioning from all-wood to carbon
Viscaria	9.2/10	9.3/10	6.0/10	Koto	Balanced offensive play with excellent control

Compared to Viscaria

The main difference between the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC and the popular Viscaria blade is in their carbon materials and outer wood types:

Mizutani Jun Super ZLC: Uses softer Limba outer plies combined with Super ZL-Carbon
Viscaria: Uses harder Koto outer plies with standard Arylate-Carbon (ALC)

While Limba is typically slower than Koto, the Super ZL-Carbon is faster than standard ALC. This creates a similar overall speed but with distinctly different playing characteristics:

Mizutani Jun Super ZLC offers a larger sweet spot with more consistent power across the blade face
Viscaria provides slightly better control during blocking and against heavy spin
The Mizutani Jun blade excels in reactive play against topspin and during counterattacks

Optimal Playing Styles and Rubber Pairings

Best Suited For:

The Mizutani Jun Super ZLC works best for:

Advanced to professional-level players (USATT 1800+)
Offensive all-round players who prioritize controlled aggression
Players who excel at mid-distance looping and counter-looping
Athletes who value creative shot-making with precise placement

Less Suitable For:

Beginners or early intermediate players (below USATT 1500)
Defensive specialists or pure blockers
Players who prefer extremely stiff, direct feeling blades
Those who primarily play with long pips or anti-spin rubbers

Recommended Rubber Pairings

Player feedback and professional usage suggest these optimal rubber combinations:

For Maximum Speed:

Forehand: Butterfly Dignics 09C
Backhand: Butterfly Dignics 05

For Balanced Control:

Forehand: Butterfly Tenergy 05 Hard
Backhand: Butterfly Tenergy 80

For Professional Setup (Jun Mizutani’s Configuration):

Forehand: Butterfly Dignics 80
Backhand: Butterfly Dignics 80

Players say the Dignics 09C/Dignics 05 combo gives excellent speed while maintaining the control characteristics that make this blade exceptional. The blade’s expanded sweet spot works particularly well with these high-performance rubbers.

Technical Adjustments When Switching to Super ZLC

Based on my experience and feedback from other high-level players, here are the key adjustments you’ll likely need when transitioning to the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC blade:

Stroke Timing Adjustment

Because the blade has a shorter dwell time and faster rebound compared to many standard blades, you’ll probably need to:

Make contact with the ball slightly earlier in your stroke
Focus on more compact, explosive stroke technique
Adjust to the blade’s crisp response, especially in fast exchanges

Most players need 2-4 weeks of regular practice to fully adapt their timing to the blade’s unique characteristics.

Wrist Action Refinement

The blade’s stiffness and power mean you need less wrist action to generate speed:

Focus more on arm and body rotation for power
Reduce excessive wrist snap, particularly on loops and drives
Develop a smoother acceleration through the ball

During my testing, I found that too much wrist action (common with softer blades) caused accuracy issues until I adjusted my technique.

Footwork and Recovery Adjustments

The increased ball speed means you need:

Quicker recovery after each shot
More disciplined positioning to handle the faster pace
Greater selectivity with aggressive shots, as mishits travel further and faster

This adjustment was particularly noticeable during tournaments, where pressure magnified the blade’s speed characteristics.

Professional Usage and Tournament Results

While specific tournament results directly attributed to the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC blade are limited, we do know that:

Jun Mizutani won gold in mixed doubles and bronze in the men’s team event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, though it’s not confirmed he used this blade for these achievements
Top pro player Lin Yun-Ju has used the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC blade in competition
Interestingly, some sources suggest that Mizutani himself only used the Super ZLC blade for a few tournaments before switching back to his regular blade

The blade’s technical specs and performance characteristics have made it popular among high-level players looking for exceptional speed with reasonable control, particularly those who value creative shot-making with precise placement.

Value Comparison with Mid-Range Alternatives

At $399.99, the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC is a serious investment. Here’s how it compares with quality mid-range alternatives in the $150-250 price range:

Blade	Price Range	Performance Comparison	Best For
Mizutani Jun Super ZLC	$399.99	Benchmark premium performance	Advanced to professional players seeking maximum performance
Butterfly Viscaria	$219.99	90% of Super ZLC performance, slightly less sweet spot	Serious competitive players seeking value with premium performance
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC	$249.99	85% of Super ZLC performance, more control-oriented	Players transitioning to carbon technology
Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro	$179.99	70% of Super ZLC speed, better suited for developing technique	Intermediate players advancing to higher competition levels

Diminishing Returns Analysis

My testing suggests the performance gap between the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC and blades in the $200-250 range is noticeable but not dramatic – maybe a 10-15% difference in optimal performance. However, this blade offers several advantages that might justify the premium price for certain players:

The expanded sweet spot provides more consistent performance, especially valuable in high-pressure competitive situations
The exceptional durability maintains performance characteristics longer than less expensive options
The unique Super ZLC material offers power generation with less physical effort, which can be beneficial during long tournaments

For players competing at high levels (USATT 2000+) where small advantages matter a lot, the performance benefits may justify the price difference. For recreational players or those still developing technique, the investment might be premature, as technical limitations will overshadow the blade’s advantages.

Expert Player Testimonials

I’ve gathered specific feedback from verified competitive players with extensive experience using the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC:

“As a 2250-rated player with 12 years of competitive experience, I found the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC transformed my counter-loop game specifically. The blade’s expanded sweet spot allowed me to take more risks in fast exchanges, and I noticed a 15% improvement in my win rate against spin-oriented attackers within three months of switching. The adjustment period was challenging – about 3 weeks of frustration before everything clicked – but the performance gain was worth it.” – Kevin L., USATT 2250

“I’ve been testing the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC for six months in regional tournaments (USATT 2100 level). The blade’s performance for receiving serve is mixed – against short backspin serves, it provides exceptional control for pushing short, but against heavy sidespins, I needed to significantly adjust my receive angle. Where it truly excels is in third-ball attack scenarios, where the power reserve is exceptional without sacrificing placement accuracy.” – Michael T., USATT 2100

“After transitioning from the original Viscaria to the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC, the most noticeable difference was in blocking against modern high-tension rubbers. The Super ZLC construction absorbs incoming energy more effectively, allowing for better redirection when blocking. However, the blade punishes technical flaws mercilessly – my backhand flick timing needed complete rebuilding during the first month. Now that I’ve adapted, my backhand attack success rate has improved dramatically.” – Sarah K., National Team Member

These detailed testimonials from experienced players provide deeper insight into how the blade performs in competitive scenarios and what kind of adaptation different playing styles require.

Detailed Pros and Cons

Pros

Exceptionally large sweet spot for more consistent power generation
Premium carbon fiber technology creates tremendous power with minimal effort
Superior durability due to high-quality materials and construction
Outstanding spin generation capabilities for both topspin and sidespin shots
Excellent close-range performance in attacking scenarios
Approved by ITTF for official tournament play
Three handle options to accommodate different grip preferences
Well-balanced weight distribution for excellent maneuverability

Cons

High price point places it among the most expensive blades available
Steep learning curve requires significant adjustment period (typically 3-8 weeks)
Not suitable for beginners or intermediate players still developing technique
Slightly heavier than some comparable carbon blades
Less effective in pure defensive scenarios compared to specialized defensive blades

Where to Purchase Authentic Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC

To make sure you get a genuine product with manufacturer warranty protection, only buy from authorized Butterfly dealers. Fake table tennis equipment is unfortunately, common, and unauthorized sellers might offer lookalike products that don’t perform like the real thing.

Authorized retailers like Megaspin offer verified authentic products with warranty support and often provide free shipping within the United States.

Conclusion: Is the Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC Worth It?

After extensive personal testing and gathering feedback from other competitive players, I believe the Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC represents the pinnacle of offensive blade technology for specific player profiles. The blade’s Super ZL-Carbon construction gives measurable advantages in sweet spot size, power generation efficiency, and spin capability that translate to real competitive benefits for advanced players.

The blade rewards technical precision and punishes fundamental flaws, making it ideal for players USATT 1800+ who have already mastered basic and intermediate techniques. For these players, the blade’s unique characteristics can elevate specific aspects of their game, particularly counter-looping, third-ball attacks, and creative shot-making.

However, be prepared for a significant adjustment period of 3-8 weeks, during which your performance may temporarily decline as you adapt to the blade’s unique characteristics. For serious competitors willing to invest this time and overcome the adaptation curve, the Mizutani Jun Super ZLC offers performance benefits that could justify its premium price.

For recreational players or those still developing core technique, the investment would be premature – the blade’s advantages would be overshadowed by technical limitations, and the money would be better spent on coaching or equipment better suited to technical development.